Special Promotional Section offices of education in Sacramento and Placer County , the grant — and its award — came together in a hurry .
“ There was an opportunity to apply for a regional grant to align the ecosystem in our large region from K-12 to community colleges to our universities ,” King says . “ I ’ m just thrilled for our region . We went from a first conversation in January to being awarded $ 18.1 million in May . I think it ’ s just evidence of how well our leaders work together in higher education and also with our K-12 partners .”
University of the Pacific , which has campuses in Stockton , Sacramento and San Francisco , is also tailoring its curricula to meet the needs of industries that are wrestling with an increasing demand for services and a shortage of labor . UOP has expanded its focus on health care , one of the fastest-growing segments of the region ’ s economy .
In 2020 , UOP created the School of Health Sciences , which includes a unique , entry-level master of science in nursing open to anyone with a bachelor ’ s degree . The Sacramento campus also has a physician ’ s assistant program and studies in clinical nutrition , occupational therapy and social work .
Collegiate contributions to the region ’ s economic growth don ’ t only come from the classroom or lab , however . Sac State has built new student housing along Folsom Boulevard that is already bringing new life to the corridor , and its planned Innovation Hub on Ramona Avenue will include a $ 100 million new home for the California Mobility Center , where research and production is being done on new electric vehicles .
“ I think that ’ s going to be a total gamechanger for that area ,” Nelsen says .
Ken Smith is a freelance writer , public relations consultant and video producer who is also managing editor of Sierra Sacramento Valley Medicine magazine . More at kdscommunications . com .
Life Lessons Continuing education helps professionals gain new skills
For Dr . Jenni Murphy , one of the most amazing things about continuing education and professional development is the cross-pollination .
“ As adults , everybody in the classroom is bringing rich experience to the table , not just the instructor ,” says Murphy , dean of the College of Continuing Education at Sacramento State . “ It ’ s tremendously empowering when you can share in a classroom and contribute to everyone else ’ s learning .”
Continuing education programs for professionals take many forms . Some offer advanced degrees , like Sac State ’ s Master of Business Administration for Executives , a 15-month accredited degree designed for experienced professionals who aspire to leadership positions .
Others provide specialized non-degree training , like Leading through Diversity , Equity , and Inclusion , a new one-month Executive Education program at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy that began enrolling last spring . The school also offers graduate certificate programs in a variety of specialized fields .
“ There ’ s no program that ’ s a silver bullet ,” says Dr . Paul Danczyk , the Price School ’ s director of executive education in Sacramento . “ It ’ s about exploring things we know are important in this time and space and how we put that into practice — an applied type of programming . Our philosophy in executive education is about three things : the transfer of knowledge , shaping behaviors , and changing attitudes . It ’ s about recognizing the humanness behind the work we ’ re doing .”
Murphy also sees it as an opportunity for keeping pace with an ever-changing world . “ It helps keep people contemporary with everything going on ,” she says . “ Most jobs evolve over time but your resume doesn ’ t reflect that . You may have been working for years , but continuing education allows you to dust things off . Plus , you ’ re bringing the new things you learned back to your employer , which helps give back to the organization .”
Some professionals use continuing education as a way to become even more employable . “ Specific discipline-based programs are becoming more popular as people realize they need advanced skills in some areas ,” says Dr . Jaydeep Balakrishnan , interim dean of the Sac State College of Business . “ Last year , we started offering an MS in business analytics — as you can imagine , being in Northern California , analytics is really important , so students are coming to upgrade their skills .”
No matter the type of program , it ’ s clear that those who go back to the classroom or seek executive coaching are committed to continued growth .
“ Professional development is all about where you want to go and what type of skills will help you get there ,” Danczyk says .
― Jessica Laskey
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